Visitor visas for graduation ceremonies

Graduation Ceremonies usually take place after the end of your studies. Find out more about ceremonies on our Graduation webpages.

In a lot of cases your visa will likely be valid for you to attend your graduation ceremony. However if your visa expires before the date of your ceremony, you will likely have to return to your home country and come back on a UK visitor visa.

Re-entering the UK on your student visa

If you need to leave the UK at the end of your studies you usually should be able to come back with your Student visa to attend a graduation ceremony, provided it is still valid and not past expiry. However, bear in mind that re-entry into the UK is never guaranteed, and is at the discretion of UK Border Force.

Returning to the UK with a visitor visa

If your student visa expires before your graduation ceremonies, you will not be able to extend it for the purposes of graduation. Unless you are eligible to switch to another UK visa type, the best course of action is to leave the UK and make a new application to come back with a visitor visa.

To support your visa application, we recommend you include your results/standard completion letter and your graduation invitation.

If you are someone who is a non-visa national, you may be eligible to get a stamp at the airport rather than applying for a visitor visa in advance. We recommend that you bring your results/standard completion letter letter and graduation invitation with you in your hand luggage and show this to the Border Force officer. Check if you require a visa on the gov.uk website.

For a faster entry into the UK, you may be able to access the eGates. eGates are an automated self-service barrier operated by UK Border Force and are an alternative option to getting your documents checked at the desk by an officer. You can find out who has access to eGates on the Home Office guidance.

Visitor visa for guests

When inviting guests from overseas to attend graduation ceremonies, they may need a visitor visa to come to the UK.

Guests may need evidence that you have been invited to the upcoming graduation ceremonies. You can provide them with a completion letter automatically issued after the completion of your program or a copy (and screenshot) of your official results.

They may also need a copy of your graduation invitation to your graduation ceremony, as well you should write them a letter/s to invite the guests you are planning on inviting. We suggest you write this letter/s using our Guest Visa Template for Graduation.

Get in touch

If you have any further questions about returning to the UK on your student visa or if you are not sure if your visa is still valid, contact our international student compliance team to discuss this before you travel.